Ep 153. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

In episode 153 of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, the guest is Henry Louis Gates, Jr., an American historian, filmmaker, and literary critic who focuses on African American studies. The episode starts with Trevor Noah introducing Gates and discussing his most recent book, "Stony the Road: Reconstruction, White Supremacy, and the Rise of Jim Crow."

Gates talks about how the Reconstruction era in the United States was one of the most transformative periods in American history. However, it is often forgotten due to the rise of Jim Crow laws and the KKK, and the subsequent mistreatment of African Americans. Gates discusses how Reconstruction should be taught in schools in order to educate people about African American history and to help heal the racial divide in America.

Noah and Gates then discuss how African American history is often not taught in schools and is largely left out of discussions surrounding American history. They also touch on the current state of race relations in America, including the recent protests against police brutality and systemic racism.

Throughout the episode, Gates also discusses his experiences filming his PBS series, "Finding Your Roots," which focuses on genealogy and the family histories of well-known celebrities. Gates talks about the challenges of researching people's family histories and the unexpected discoveries that can come up.

Noah and Gates also touch on the controversy surrounding Gates' arrest in 2009, when a police officer accused him of breaking into his own home. Gates talks about how the incident affected him and how it led him to become more involved in issues surrounding racial profiling and systemic racism.

Overall, the episode features a thoughtful and engaging discussion about African American history and the current state of race relations in America. Gates provides a wealth of knowledge and insight into these topics, and Noah does an excellent job of facilitating the conversation. Anyone interested in these issues will find the episode to be informative and thought-provoking.